Storm Center Update-Wednesday AM

We have frost on the roads early this morning, so be aware of that and give yourself some extra time to get to your destinations. Otherwise, today’s weather looks very nice with highs near 40 in Sioux Falls and close to 54 in Rapid City. Enjoy the afternoon because changes are on the way.

First, south winds will strengthen overnight, mainly in northeastern SD. Eventually, that south wind will tap into moisture to our south as clouds thicken and drizzle or light freezing drizzle develops south of Sioux Falls during the early morning. Freezing drizzle is not expected to be a major problem, but we’ll watch the early morning trends. The precipitation should be in the form or light rain or drizzle during the afternoon across eastern KELOLAND. However, the shield of light rain will move north and west by early evening. Aberdeen, Huron, and Watertown may be subject to some mixed precipitation by Thursday evening as the mercury falls below freezing. We’ll be watching the mercury in Sioux Falls as well, with either light drizzle or freezing drizzle possible through Friday morning.

Drizzle and freezing drizzle will also develop West River Thursday evening, but snow will become the main issue West River by Friday morning. New winter storm watches have been posted for western and north central SD for Friday. Snow and blowing snow will be a problem and accumulations around 6” will possible in the watch area. This new winter storm watch includes the Black Hills, Rapid City, Wall, and Mobridge.

While snow develops West River, Sioux Falls and the southeast will see a lingering chance of drizzle during the day with highs warming back above freezing. Keep in mind that temperatures in Pierre and Aberdeen will be colder, so some additional freezing drizzle will be possible before the snow arrives and temperatures drop. The wind will increase and blowing snow will be likely in most areas by Friday night. While Sioux Falls will miss the heavy snow, a period of snow will accompany the arctic front. Everybody will see very cold wind chills Friday night and Saturday with strong northwest winds.

Cold weather will continue into early next week, with a warming trend developing after Tuesday.